Brecksville City Council Committees Regular Meeting - November 18, 2025

On November 18, 2025, the Brecksville City Council convened committee meetings starting at 7:00 PM, followed by a Committee of the Whole and a regular council session. The six standing committees (Buildings & Grounds, Finance, Legislation, Safety-Service, Streets & Sidewalks, Utilities) each considered their agendas and forwarded recommendations to the full council. No public comments were made. All votes in committee and full council were unanimous (7-0 unless noted).

Discussion Items

• Finance Committee (7:01 PM - 7:19 PM) – Chaired by Beth Savage. Key proposals included:

  • 2026 Program Rates (FIN 2): Recreation Director Engle explained increases were driven by higher official rates, restructuring of the artistic swimming program, and a first adjustment in four years for Taekwondo. The revenue impact was not quantified.
  • Non-Resident Student Memberships (FIN 3): A new membership pass for non-resident high school students (14+) was proposed. Director Engle noted consistent membership levels (5,600 residents, 800–850 non-residents). Council Member Ganim highlighted that previous non-resident memberships generated an additional $300,000 in revenue.
  • Purchase Order Increase (FIN 4): $8,000 increase to PO# 20259617 for Community Center programming due to higher theater performance demand and student enrollment.
  • Contractor Registration Fees (FIN 5): Chief Building Official Packard proposed raising the annual fee from $75 to $125 (first increase in ~19 years for about 800+ contractors).
  • Appropriation Amendment (FIN 6): Finance Director Starosta requested a $477,000 increase in estimated income tax revenue (withholding up $630,000, net profit up $375,000) and $10,000 for architect fees.
  • Central School Demolition Subrecipient Agreement (FIN 7): Purchasing Director Bartkiewicz explained the city must sign a subrecipient agreement with the Cuyahoga County Land Reutilization Corporation to forward the grant application to the Ohio Department of Development. The current agreement expires at year-end; an extension to June 30, 2026 is being sought. Council Member Jantzen asked about commitments; Bartkiewicz confirmed it binds the city to using the grant.
  • Blanket Purchase Order Limits (FIN 8): Request to establish $50,000 limits for blanket and super blanket purchase orders (covering utilities, fuel, etc.) per ORC 5705.41(D). The city consolidated its blanket orders from 187 to 128.
  • Fuel Purchase Agreement (FIN 9): Award of gasoline/diesel supply to Petroleum Traders through a six-community consortium. The negotiated differential is expected to lower costs compared to current rates.
  • IT Equipment (FIN 10): Authorization for $30,000 to purchase 21 UPS units and 8 workstations (budgeted). Director Bartkiewicz said IT manages a regular replacement cycle.

• Legislation Committee (7:19 PM - 7:23 PM) – Chaired by Dan Bender. Mayor Kingston presented two appointments:

  • Michael J. Tusai II as full-time firefighter/paramedic (a replacement; he has served 19 years as a part-timer).
  • Sayf S. Shetawi as part-time firefighter/paramedic (a replacement; previously at Brunswick Hills Fire and private ambulance).

• Streets & Sidewalks Committee (7:24 PM - 7:32 PM) – Chaired by Brian Stucky. City Engineer Jerry Wise presented the Oakes Road Sidewalks project (PID 120129). The project will construct sidewalks on city-owned frontage from Blossom Hill Complex entrance to Barr Road (connecting to existing trails). Estimated cost: $300,000, funded largely by a Safe Routes to School grant (approx. $268,000). Bidding will open in late 2025 with award expected in January 2026. Council Member Koepke noted the per-linear-foot cost (~$220) is higher when including legal and staff time, but praised the connectivity benefit. Mayor Kingston added that the grant application process took four years.

• Other Committees: Buildings & Grounds (7:00-7:01), Safety-Service (7:23-7:23), and Utilities (7:33-7:33) each approved their November 4, 2025 minutes with no other business.

Key Outcomes

• All committee motions passed unanimously in their respective committees.
• Committee of the Whole (7:33 PM): Approved minutes and then convened an executive session (7:33-7:53 PM) to discuss the sale of real property. No action was taken in executive session.
• Full Council Session (following executive session): The council (all seven members present) unanimously passed the following legislation:
  • Resolution 5725: Appointing Michael J. Tusai II as full-time firefighter/paramedic.
  • Resolution 5726: Appointing Sayf S. Shetawi as part-time firefighter/paramedic.
  • Resolution 5728: Establishing blanket purchase order limits ($50,000) and declaring an emergency.
  • Resolution 5729: Authorizing the Mayor to enter into a subrecipient agreement with the Cuyahoga County Land Reutilization Corporation for Central School demolition (FY 2024-2025 Building Demolition and Site Revitalization Program).
  • Ordinance 5823: Amending the administrative code to add Community Center membership rates for non-resident students.
  • Ordinance 5824: Authorizing purchase of gasoline and diesel fuel from Petroleum Traders through a joint municipal improvement consortium.
  • Ordinance 5825 (actually numbered 5826 per transcript): Amending the building code to increase contractor registration fees to $125.
  • Ordinance 5826: Amending the 2025 appropriations ordinance to adjust revenues and appropriations.
• Board of Zoning Appeals and Planning Commission Reports: Council also approved various variances and planning items (signs, solar panels, parking lot modifications, subdivision plan revisions) as recommended by the respective boards. All votes were 7-0 or 6-0 when members recused.
• Other Announcements: The Shop with a First Responder event is scheduled for December 6; the holiday parade, tree lighting, and fireworks are on November 30; leaf collection runs through November 28; and two new restaurants (Mass Su and Flower) are opening soon at Valor Acres.